Audi may be leaning to Mexico for new plant, report says

Audi may be leaning to Mexico for new plant, report says

Volkswagen's luxury automaker Audi may be leaning toward Mexico for a North American assembly plant, according to WardsAuto.

In a report, it cited Mexico's lower labor costs and that a facility there would allow Audi to export vehicles to South America, and even to Europe if necessary, without paying excessive import and export tariffs.

A top Audi executive at the North American International Auto Show last week cited Chattanooga as an "attractive potential location" for its first North American production plant.

But, Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen said the VW brand already has aggressive plans for its Chattanooga site. He added that there was no final decision.

In addition to the 1,300 acres on which VW built its plant, the company also has an option for 1,000 adjacent acres.